Broadband Cabinet Choices Flummox Leftwing Harpies

Leftwing Harpies are working up a four-alarm frenzy over President-elect Bush’s cabinet appointees in general and John Ashcroft in particular. It is interesting to watch the 37-member Congressional Black Caucus rationalize its own racism.

Even the liberal media grudgingly admit Dubya’s choices are “inclusive” of minorities. Democrats, however, are flinging down the gauntlet -- our way or the highway.

Take a look at Bush’s cabinet-level positions: Colin Powel, African-American for Secretary of State; Condoleezza Rice, African-American for National Security Adviser; Rod Paige, African-American for Education; Mel Martinez, Hispanic-American for Housing and Urban Affairs; Norman Mineta, Democrat and Japanese-American for Transportation; Linda Chavez, Hispanic-American for Labor; Sen. Spencer Abraham, Arab-American for Energy; and Al Gonzales, Hispanic-American for White House Counsel.

In addition to these “minorities” – two of which are women – other lady experts chosen are Ann Veneman, Agriculture; Karen Hughes, Presidential Counselor; Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, Environmental Protection; and Gale Norton, Interior.

So far, the number of plain white males, including Ashcroft, is minimal – Don Evans, Commerce; Paul O’Neill, Treasury; Donald Rumsfeld, Defense; Tommy Thompson, Health and Human Services; and Vietnam soldier Anthony Principi, Veteran Affairs.

All appointees have two things in common – they are exceptionally qualified and (gasp!) conservatives of varying degree.

Inasmuch as the U.S. Supreme Court has not declared conservatism illegal, downhearted Harpies have announced they will “Bork” selected targets – as they with false accusations destroyed President Reagan’s eminently qualified Supreme Court nominee.

Singled out for character assassination this time are Ashcroft (anti-black), Norton (anti-environment) and Chavez (anti-labor). The greenies and unions will huff and puff about the two ladies – but not too sternly lest the National Organization of Women be shamed into a corner.

Sen. Ashcroft, however, is to get the ten- thousand-knife-cuts reserved for “racists.” His grievous “crime” was bringing to a floor vote the nomination of African-American state justice Ronnie White to a Federal District Court. A majority of the U.S. Senate agreed that White was too soft on crime.

White solely objected to the death penalty for James R. Johnson who killed a sheriff, two deputies and an officer’s wife in front of her children. Johnson pleaded insanity, but a team of psychiatrists declared him mentally fit and aware of what he was doing.

Justice White demurred that the triple murderer was “emotionally upset” at the time and therefore not accountable. No matter how thinly you slice baloney, it is still baloney.

By opposing White, Ashcroft and the Senate majority that agreed with him are declared by the Congressional Black Caucus to be ipso facto racist. Yet, Sen. Ashcroft voted for 90 percent of the dozens of black nominated for judicial posts – a higher rate of approval than by some Democrat colleagues.

As governor of Missouri, Ashcroft was a strong supporter of civil rights:

* Signed the law making Martin Luther King, Jr., birthday an official holiday.

* Appointed the first African-American to the state court of appeals and selected many other blacks for trial judges.

* Established the home of musician Scott Joplin as Missouri’s only historic site recognizing a black person.

* Created an award honoring black educator George Washington Carver.

* Named the first African-American woman to a state judgeship.

* Led a fight to save Lincoln University founded by black soldiers.

* Married a professor of law at the historically all-black Howard University.

The Congressional Caucus of Democrat women has come unglued about Ashcroft because he is pro-life. Their mantra is that he is “extreme” on abortion and “out of the mainstream.” Say what you will about abortion – snuffing out the spark of life at any stage is extreme. Bringing life into the world is mainstream.

Americans are about evenly divided on the abortion issue. Hysterical insults are not going to resolve it. Liberals have not been able to shout it down. A soft-voiced Bush administration deserves an opportunity to find common ground.

Congress convened last week, and the special caucuses already have laid out their own agendas. Let it be said that such narrow-minded legislators are a disgrace. They have been elected to a dual responsibility – represent the majority of their constituents AND the nation as a whole.

By operating as a self-interest bloc within the whole body politic, they generate animosity and division. Worse, through the drumbeat of victim-hood they hold in bondage the very minorities struggling to overcome such status.

PARTING SHOTS

The Clintons have purchased a multi-million- dollar mansion in Washington and are provided Secret Service bodyguards. These have separate quarters in the Clinton dwelling. It is reported that rent by the government for this space is equal to the Clinton mortgage payments. Whitewater lives.

* * *

Rep. James Traficant, Jr., Ohio Democrat, broke ranks to vote for reelection of Republican Dennis Hastert as House Speaker. Minority Leader Dick Gephardt then kicked Traficant off all committees. So much for bi-partisanship.

Lindsey Williams is a Sun Herald Columnist

Williams – harpies

Sunday – jan. 7, 2001

6 col head and byline logo for editorial column